Voting system works from top to bottom

SOME gems from the world of proportional representation — first preferences:

Election 2007, Dublin Central

Bertie Ahern, 12,734

Cyprian Brady, 939

Election 1923, Carlow-Kilkenny

WT Cosgrave 17,709

Seán Gibbons 615

Election 1923, Clare

Eamon de Valera 17,762

Brian O’Higgins 114

In each case, the running mate won a seat, largely on the back of his leader’s surplus. Mirabile dictu.

Tom O’Connor

Landscape Gardens

Churchtown

Dublin 14